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Both engines are mated to a five-speed manual gearbox with the 1.2-liter unit expected to deliver zero to 100km/h (62mph) acceleration in 12.4 seconds while returning a combined fuel consumption of under 5.0lt/100 km (47+ mpg US).

The Spark is expected to arrive at U.S. showrooms during the first half of 2011.

Same goes for the interior which is identical to the Spark, although the Korean market version of the car does get its own unique trim options.

The 2010 Daewoo Matiz will most likely be offered in Korea with a similar engine lineup to the European Chevy Spark that is powered by a choice of 1.0 and 1.2-litre gasoline engines developing 66 and 78HP respectively. European sales of the new Chevy Spark will start towards the end of the year while North American customers will have to wait until the end of 2010 - beginning of 2011.

Via: Noticias Automotivas

"Small cars represent one of the fastest-growing segments in both the U.S. and around the world," said Troy Clarke, president of General Motors North America. "GM will be the only automaker, foreign or domestic, to build small cars in the U.S."

With the addition of the yet to be revealed small car, the Orion assembly plant will churn out 160,000 small- and compact-sized vehicle annually. Production of the new small car (the forthcoming Chevy Spark is a possible candidate though it could be a different model altogether) will begin in 2011.

"This is great news for our members at UAW Local 5960, Oakland County, and the State of Michigan, and shows the world the UAW can compete in the most competitive segment of the automotive industry," said Cal Rapson, UAW Vice President and Director, UAW-GM Department."

As for the two other assembly plants that were also under consideration to build the future small car, GM said Spring Hill will be placed in standby capacity status in Nov. 2009 but could be reinstated if additional capacity is required while the Janesville that was placed on standby capacity in May 2009, will remain in that status until further notice.

"Given the importance of this small car program, and in an effort to move quickly to identify the plant, GM leadership has begun discussions regarding selection criteria with Federal and State government officials from Michigan, Tennessee and Wisconsin," said GM in a prepared statement. "We hope to identify and announce the future production site of the small car within the next several weeks."

According to General Motors, the introduction of the small car will boost the company's percentage of U.S.-built cars and trucks sold in the States from about 67 percent today, to beyond 70 percent by 2013.

"Small cars represent one of the fastest growing segments in both the U.S. and around the world," said Fritz Henderson, General Motors President and CEO. "We believe this car will be a winner with our current and future customers in the U.S."

"I would like to personally thank the UAW for agreeing to work with us to ensure our overall manufacturing competitiveness in the United States. It takes a special effort by everyone to bring a domestically produced small car to market in a cost-competitive and profitable way - but that is what we are going to do together," Henderson added.

Both engines are mated to a five-speed manual gearbox and are expected to offer a combined cycle fuel economy of below 5.0L/100 km (over 47mpg US), together with CO2 emissions of less than 120 gr/km. Chevrolet said that the 1.2-liter engine is expected to deliver zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration in 12.4 seconds.

Packing a 2,375 mm wheelbase into its 3,640mm long body, the Spark offers 170-liter trunk volume, which can be increased to 994 liters by lowering the 60/40 split-fold rear seat-back.

Even though the production Spark comes with a five-door body style, it retains all of the concept's styling cues adding a few more interesting details such as the 'hidden' rear door handles. With an overall length of 3,640 mm and a 2,375 mm wheelbase, the Spark is slightly larger than Fiat's A-Segment Panda that measures 3,538 mm in length.

The design of Spark's interior continues the funky exterior theme with a swoopy dashboard and a motorcycle-inspired instrument cluster that is mounted on the on the steering column.

In Europe, power will come from a choice of 1.0 and 1.2-litre 16-valve four-cylinder gasoline engines with GM promising that they will deliver "excellent fuel efficiency and low emissions."

Depending on global markets, the Spark's safety equipment will include driver and passenger front air bags, front side airbags, roof rail head curtain airbags, antilock brakes and electronic stability control. Prices and exact equipment specifications are be announced closer to the car's on sale date.